The worst part for me about moving
from California is being unable to drive up into the Sierras
for the day. I've moved a long ways away but I know I'll be back.
I still want to hike the whole John Muir Trail in one hike, something
I've tried several before but I've always run into problems.
I remember the second time I tried it. I parked my brand new
car in the parking lot at Curry Village in Yosemite Valley and
came back 3 weeks later to find a dent in the drivers door. I
can just see someone in a big pickup squeezing into a spot next
to my car and slamming their door against mine. When I make my
next trip to the Sierras it won't be with my car. I've used the
buses in Yosemite before and I will again. I've found that its
actually quite easy to get from some of the airports around California
to the trailhead. It might take longer but I don't have to worry
about someone denting my car. Besides, after a long hike it will
be nice to sit back and let someone else do the driving. One
popular hike that is done with public transportation is to take
the bus from Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows and then hike
back to the valley. The above picture is taken near above Vogelslang
High Pass looking back toward Tuolumne Meadows. After passing
over the pass its all downhill to the Valley. Don't think that's
good. Its a bone jarring walk but the views are pretty good.

Yosemite can be reached easily from several
airports in California and Nevada. The west side of Kings Canyon
and Sequoia National Parks on the other hand aren't as easy to
get to. From the west side one would have to rent a car to drive
to places other than Yosemite. There is no public transportation
from the airport in Fresno but you can rent a car.Yosemite National Park is serviced by buses
from Merced California several times a day.

YARTS - Yosemite
Area Regional Transportation System, they make runs from Merced
to Mammoth and stop at several trailheads.

Rideshare Information
- transportation options in Merced County. Currently the airport
is only serviced from Fresno by Scenic Airlines. At least that's
what their website says. I can't find that airline listed for
the Las Vegas Airport.

Fly Fresno
- Information on the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, including
a list of airlines that fly there. There is no public transportation
to the Sierras but you can rent a car.

Yolo Bus - The number
42 bus will take you from the Sacramento International Airport
to within a block of Amtrak or to Greyhound. Make sure you're
on the bus going to Sacramento and not Davis.

Amtrak - Amtrak's homepage.
Sometimes they'll put you on a bus that will connect to a train.
For example, you'd travel by bus from Sacramento to Stockton
where you'd get on a train to Merced if you were to go to Yosemite.